Philadelphia Gets Spotlight

The "crowd" mainly consisted of reporters from the local, state, national and international level. In all, at least 150 representatives from the media are slotted to be in attendance throughout the trial. However, reporters are not the only ones there in force. Almost 50 law enforcement officers are slated to provide security each day throughout the duration of the trial.

"We have everybody on call," says Philadelphia Chief David Edwards. "Everybody working and all the days off have been canceled until further notice."

With the trial expected to last about two weeks and officers from the state, county and city level providing security, one of the big concerns is the costs of overtime pay, meals and accommodations for some, a price tag which county officials say could escalate to as much as $100,000.

"Just about like everything, the county the state and we all kind of pinch pennies and rob Peter to pay Paul and that same situation is going on here," says James Young, District 5 supervisor for the Neshoba County Board of Supervisors.

Meanwhile for some, instead of cost the trial appears to be more of a money making mechanism. Such is the case at the Coffee Bean coffee shop across from the courthouse where business is booming.

"I have brought more people in and we are opening up and hour earlier for the trial."

As for others, the trial is a chance to relay a message. One man who identifies himself only as "Ishmael" has traveled from Franklin County to the trial expressing grievances about the confederate symbol on the state flag.

"Mississippi may be putting this man on trial but it really needs to be dealing with it's own since of justice," says Ishmael.

Although a large scale protest did not take place on day one and no groups have yet filed for a permit to formally do so, what the future holds is yet to be seen.

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